November 16–17, 2026 · Annapolis Waterfront Hotel · Annapolis, Maryland
The Summit for Leaders Who Advance the Deaf Community
Deaf Organization Executives Summit (DOES) brings together executive directors, CEOs, and senior leaders from organizations serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities for two days of facilitated leadership development, peer connection, and collective impact.
Event Details
- When and Where: November 16-17, 2026, Annapolis, Maryland
- Meals: Meals included — Both days
- Format: Interactive sessions with a focus on collaborative learning and problem-solving.
- Topics: A highly engaged pre-event survey determines what we prioritize, so the agenda reflects what matters most to the leaders in the room.
- Justification Letter: Click here to get a justification letter for your supervisor(s).
- Hotel Bookings: https://shorturl.at/feiNu
If you are, or know, an organization executive who would benefit from attending DOES, please contact us with the person’s name, title, organization, and email.
Deaf Organization Executives Summit (DOES)
The Deaf Organization Executives Summit is a closed, invitation-only leadership gathering — not a conference. There are no workshops, no vendor booths, and no keynotes. DOES is two full days of structured facilitation, honest conversation, and deep peer connection among the executives who lead this field.
Past attendees have come from schools for the Deaf, state commissions, interpreting organizations, community centers, national advocacy groups, and Deaf-serving nonprofits across the United States and internationally. What they share is a commitment to advancing the communities they serve — and the recognition that leading in this field presents challenges that few outside it fully understand.
DOES is produced by Innivee Strategies and rotates to a new city each time. Previous summits were held in Hartford, Connecticut (2022) and New Orleans, Louisiana (2024).
Attendance is by invitation only. If you believe you or a colleague should be considered, please use the invitation request form below.
Why Annapolis?
Annapolis is the right location at the right moment. DOES 2026 falls on November 16–17 — immediately preceding the NASADHH conference. For leaders already traveling to the region, this creates a rare opportunity to attend both gatherings in a single trip.
The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, an Autograph Collection property by Marriott, sits directly on Annapolis Harbor in the heart of Maryland’s historic state capital. It provides a setting that is both logistically convenient and genuinely distinctive — a working waterfront town with character, history, and easy access from Baltimore, Washington, and major regional airports.
Two Days. No Panels. Real Conversations.
DOES is structured, not scripted. Our facilitation team designs an experience that meets attendees where they are — drawing on the cohort’s actual experience, challenges, and expertise as the curriculum.
Over two days, you can expect:
Attendance is capped to preserve the intimacy and candor that make DOES work.
Structured facilitation
That moves between large group, small group, and individual reflection
Peer roundtables
Organized around topics surfaced from pre-event surveys — the agenda reflects what's on your mind
Leadership Development
Rooted in purpose-driven leadership, equity, and community accountability
Full accessibility
ASL interpretation and CART captioning provided throughout
Professional headshots
Taken on-site at no additional cost change to Taken on-site, included with registration
Meals provided
Breakfast and lunch both days
Our Facilitation Team
DOES is not a speaker-driven event. Instead, DOES is guided by an experienced facilitation team who create the conditions for the real work: structured peer dialogue, honest reflection, and collective problem-solving among the leaders in the room.
Our facilitators bring deep expertise in organizational change, adaptive leadership, equity, and community engagement — and several identify as Deaf or hard of hearing themselves. Their role is to serve the cohort, not to present to it.
If your organization is interested in sponsoring the event, a facilitator, or supporting organizations to attend please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend DOES?
DOES is designed for executive directors, CEOs, presidents, and other senior leaders of organizations whose primary mission involves serving Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing individuals. Attendance is by invitation only.
How do I get an invitation?
Use the invitation request form on this page. Our team reviews all requests and extends invitations based on organizational fit, role, and cohort composition.
What is the registration fee?
Registration is $800 per person (early bird, through July 31, 2026), and $900 thereafter. This includes all programming, meals, and on-site headshots for both days. Travel and lodging are the responsibility of the registrant.
Is there financial assistance available?
A limited number of scholarship registrations are available through the generosity of our sponsors. When requesting your invitation, you may indicate that you wish to be considered for a scholarship.
What accessibility accommodations are provided?
ASL interpretation and CART captioning are provided throughout the event at no additional cost. If you have other accessibility needs, please indicate them during registration and we will do our best to accommodate.
Can I bring a colleague?
DOES is invitation-only and attendance is capped. If you believe a colleague should attend, please submit a separate invitation request on their behalf.
Is DOES affiliated with NASADHH?
DOES is produced independently by Innivee Strategies. The Annapolis dates were intentionally chosen to align with the NASADHH conference at Gallaudet University (November 18–19), making it convenient for leaders traveling to the region.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible attendee.
Request Your Invitation
DOES 2026 is invitation-only. Submit your information below and our team will review your request.